Rocky Barker’s blog: Another elk rancher angers neighbors in eastern Idaho. Rocky Barker – Idaho Statesman
Update Oct 5. Elk Ranch Owner Cleared Of Wrongdoing. Local News 8. KPVI.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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This is just another example of why game farming is counter-productive. The overall impact of game farm operations is entirely negative:
1) it gives legitimate fair chase hunting a black eye and provides anti-hunting forces “evidence” to support draconian hunting restrictions
2) it provides opportunities for non-native species to escape and breed with native species
3) these farms can become islands of infection for diseases that effect wildlife AND cattle
4) they provide an “easy” alternative to using legitimate fair chase guide services and thus damage local outfitters and the local economy
5) they produce unnatural “trophies” with their supplemental feeding, predator removals, and so called “management” hunts to remove genetically inferior animals
6) shooting an animal inside a game farm enclosure, be it 5 acres or 500, is a cowardly and shamefull act that denigrates every true wilderness hunter in America
There are many of us long time traditional hunters that hate this kind of wildlife exploitation. Shut ’em all down.
Has Idaho ever has an initiative on the ballot to shut-down/buy-out/ban new shooter operations?
No.
There has been a lot of talk about one by some conservation and hunting organizations, but the sad truth is that in United States today hardly any group can get an initiative on the ballot unless they hire a signature-gathering company.
So the monied interests have the great advantage.
I personally take offense that these shooter operations are even remotely connected to Hunting. Fair chase hunting is the only way to hunt! I can tell you that 99% of hunters feel the same way, an If these were not so protected in this state by the Ag industry they would be gone! Hunters don’t want them here for many of the reasons already mentioned. If it were up to the people they would go away quickley.